This image is from the book form of More Men of Mark, with the image separately tipped onto the mounting sheet bearing the plate number and facsimile of Davies's signature under the mount, not from any proof set with handwritten inscriptions by Coburn.

'Coburn wrote in his introduction about photographing Davies: 'I found him living in a London suburb, but at the back of his abode was a thick wood. One of the surprising things London does - but one must be a poet to appreciate them - is to enclose bits of rural nature in large quadrangles of bricks and mortar, and then forget all about them. Real fragments of Fairy-land they sometimes are, and of course Davies had discovered one. And the birds sang even in the November trees, a sad note, and London seemed far away and remote. How much poetry depends upon the ability to create an atmosphere! Davies lives his poetry as well as he writes it; he does not string words together according to a classic formula: they bubble out of the fullness of his heart, hence his direct and appealing charm.'

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact customer services.

Buyers' Obligations

ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.

If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.

Buyers' Premium and Charges

For all Sales categories excluding Wine, Coins & Medals and Motor Cars and Motorcycles:A successful bidder at this sale will be required to pay Bonhams 1793 Limited ("Bonhams") a premium calculated as follows: 25% on the first £100,000 of the hammer price20% on the excess of £100,001 and up to £2,000,000 of the hammer price12% on the excess of £2,000,001 of the hammer price

VAT at 20% will be payable on the amount of the premium.

The premium is payable for the services to be provided by Bonhams in the Buyer's Agreement which is contained in the catalogue for this Sale and for the opportunity to bid for the Lot at the Sale.